And it needs some serious work.  The rear caliper on the left side is frozen (as can be seen my the huge gouges cut in the rotor, yay replacements).  It came with no mufflers, tailpipes, or hangars, just catalitic converters and nothing more.  I was quoted 500 bucks minimum to fix that situation, and at 19 years old making 300 a week after taxes PLUS car payments and insurance/rent etc, that's a pretty penny.  The AC doesnt work, driver side window wont roll down, lot of interior stuff needs done, battery is dying, Speedometer's dead, Freon's gone (500 bucks easy), the list goes on.

Despite all this, and perhaps paying a bit much for what I got, I like the car and I'm willing to drop some cash on it to make it what it can be, but I have a few questions.

I dont know a whole ton about cars.  I bought this one to learn, and spent much of today reading up on how to tune carbeurators.  The thing is, my engine runs a steady throb in idle at 1k rpm, but if you dont give it enough gas (enough being about half throttle) it slows way down on takeoff.  Is this something that needs adjusting, or is it just my inexperience as a driver that has yet to find the car's sweet spot?

A person at a local car shop said it sounded like the engine was missfiring.  I can't personally hear anything, because it has no mufflers and is loud as all ***  What should I be listening for?

I'll come back and bother you all again if i have more questions. thanks  

Hey Grumbles hang-in there I bought a 85 GT new it was one of the best cars I ever owned.As far as your mis- fire goes check and see if the spark plug wires are wired for H.0. Engine.This engine is the first year for the roller cam and the firing order is the same as a 351w.If the engine is wired for a regular 302 it won't run right.Prostang  

Good job on buying that car my uncle has 4 fox body mustangs. I'll ask him on that idle problem, thats what he is good at. Oh and one question is the car a 5-speed.  

If it has a carb it's a five speed. All '85 GTs with EFI got the AOD (and less horsepower)...

First things first, get the exhaust fixed. You could be doing serious heat damage to the trans and under car components with the exhaust just chopped off. Go to a local muffler shop and just have them weld up a simple 2 1/2-inch dual system. It shouldn't run you more than $250 for now. Once the car is quiet and not such a hazard you can drive it more and listen for any engine noise, miss, etc.

If the car has been sitting I would do a general tune up (plugs, wires, cap and rotor) and rebuild the carb or at least flush the tank and fuel lines and put a new fuel filter on it.

Good luck with the ride...

Mark  

I'd definitely get the exhaust done first.  Next do the tune up, it might be that the plugs aren't wired up properly, so I think some new plugs, wires, cap and rotor should really help. From what it sounds like the car has been sitting for a long time, so flush the fuel system, a good shop should be able to help you do this and refill it with premium gas 91. Also, when you do, try to take the car on longer drives, 30-45 minutes, so it warms up nice and good. If the car is still spluttering, or misfiring then I'd inspect the carb and also check  for any vacuum leaks,  you can tell if it has a vacuum leak because you will hear a hissing sound under the hood, indicating that air is escaping from somewhere.